Australia’s “Four-Phase Plan” to Reopen Borders

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a “four-phase plan” to reopen Australia’s domestic and international borders following last Friday’s National Cabinet meeting. Once enough Australians are vaccinated against COVID-19, the country would move from the current “Phase A” into Phase B. This would see vaccinated Australians exempt from domestic border restrictions & lockdowns, and make it … Continued

New Zealand Bubble Resumes 5 July, With Restrictions

New Zealand will reinstate the trans-Tasman travel bubble with some Australian states at 11.59pm on 4 July 2021. But when flights from Australia to New Zealand restart, there will be new conditions including mandatory pre-flight COVID-19 testing. The announcement means that from next Monday, it will once again be possible to fly to New Zealand … Continued

Burst Bubble: NZ Suspends All Aussie Arrivals

The New Zealand government has paused quarantine-free travel from all Australian states until at least next Wednesday, amid concerns over new COVID-19 cases found in multiple parts of the country over recent days. The trans-Tasman travel bubble suspension came into effect almost immediately after it was announced on Saturday evening. The pause is currently due … Continued

Qantas & Virgin to Give Prizes for COVID-19 Vaccination

Virgin Australia has joined Qantas – plus a growing number of other airlines & tourism businesses – promising prizes and other incentives to anyone who gets vaccinated against COVID-19. Last month, Qantas announced plans to offer generous prizes to Australians who can prove they have been immunised against COVID-19, which could include things like frequent … Continued

Podcast #62: Travelling to Australia During COVID-19 (Part One)

With Australia’s international border still closed (except to New Zealand), and restrictive international arrival caps still in place, flying to Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic sadly remains a huge challenge. This fortnight, travel agent Alan Lam from Netwave Travel (a.k.a madrooster on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum) returns to the AFF on Air podcast for … Continued